SOFTBALL: Double no-hitters, doubleheader sweep for Lady Dragons

April 24, 2013

Alexa Bupp and Meghan Loutzenhiser each fired no-hitters Tuesday, helping the Lady Dragons to a doubleheader sweep of Erie East. Warren won game one, 15-0, before winning the nightcap, 16-0.

"I was obviously very pleased with the way we bounced back after the loss yesterday," said Bupp. "We did a great job at the plate. In the second came, I was very happy with the way some of our younger kids stepped up and delivered. Today, every member of our team contributed."

Article Photos

Times Observer photo by Allen SeybertStrategy sessionEisenhower head softball coach R.J. Williams, right, discusses strategy with batter Emily McJunkin during the third inning of the Knights’ 16-1 loss to Iroquois Tuesday at Eisenhower High School. Seepage B-2.

Times Observer photo by Allen SeybertNo problemEisenhower third baseman Natasha Morrison, left, catches a pop fly on the field as teammate Haylie Birt backs her up during the fourth inning of a 16-1 loss to Iroquois Tuesday at Eisenhower High School.

Times Observer photo by Carl LeichtenbergerTag playYoungsville catcher Judi Lewis tags out a Franklin runner during a Region 5 high school softball game on Tuesday at Franklin.

In the opener, Warren needed just three innings to win via the mercy rule. Bupp struck out six and walked none on the mound and the Dragons belted out 16 hits in the win. Erica Blair and Meghan Loutzenhiser collected three hits apiece and Kaitlin Ishman, Bupp and Loutzenhiser knocked in two runs each. All three of those players hit home runs in the victory.

In the second game, coach Bupp was able to mix up his lineup and get some new players into the contest.

Sierra Wees and Brittany Massa each had their first varsity hits in the game and exchange student Ingrid Skar also had her first varsity action in the win. Skar wasn't satisfied with just being in the game, either, finishing with a two-run single and a stolen base.

"She had never played softball before coming here," said Bupp. "I couldn't possibly be happier for her."

Loutzenhiser was the winning pitcher in the second game, striking out six and walking none like Bupp in the opener.

The Dragons (7-1, 6-1 Region 7) will return to the diamond Thursday when they travel to Erie to showdown with Mercyhurst Prep.

FRANKLIN - Youngsville softball coach Ron Jameson said the final score of Tuesday's 13-3 loss to Franklin doesn't indicate how well his Eagles played.

"We kept fighting," said Jameson. "We were hitting the ball and going right at them. Their fielders made some nice plays, but we kept putting the ball in play. We only struck out three times in 26 official at-bats."

Youngsville finally strung some hits together in the top of the sixth inning, scoring all three of its runs. Haley Gray reached on a fielders choice and scored on Julia Sveda's RBI single to start the scoring. Kelsey Anderson would later add an RBI groundout and Kennedy Cratty ripped an RBI single to make the score 9-3 at the time.

However, Franklin would respond with four runs in the bottom of the sixth, ending the game early via the 10-run rule.

The Lady Eagles (2-4) finished with seven total hits. Sveda and Jessica Jameson had two hits each and Kennedy Cratty, Karissa Cratty and Judi Lewis had one hit each.

Iroquois ripped the cover off the ball Tuesday, soundly defeating Eisenhower by a 16-1 count at Eisenhower High School.

The Braves took momentum of the game after a scary incident early in the game in which Ike pitcher Emily McJunkin was struck by a line drive back through the box. McJunkin showed heart by shaking off the incident and staying in the game, but Iroquois showed little mercy with the bats.

The Braves scored 15 runs between the third and fourth innings, turning a 1-0 game after two innings into a game that ended after four innings via the 15-run rule.

The Knights finished the afternoon with three hits as Haylie Birt, McJunkin and Natasha Morrison all singled. Ike's lone run came in the third inning when Mallory Trumbull reached on an error, Mallory Schutt walked, Birt singled and Trumbull scored on Dakota Williams' RBI groundout.

Eisenhower (1-4) will try to improve on its season record Thursday when it hosts Titusville.